Astros @ Cardinals

[Castor27]

All game talk goes in here. Please do not give play by play. If you need play by play go to CBS, ESPN, or Yahoo.

Pitching Proabables:

4-22 Brandon Duckworth (0-0, 9.00) vs. Jason Marquis (2-0, 1.33) at 7:10 on FSSW

4-23 Roger Clemens (1-0, 0.43) vs. Mark Mulder (1-1, 4.74) at 1:15 on KNWS

4-24 Brandon Backe (1-0, 3.93) vs. Matt Morris (1-0, 1.50) @ 1:15 on FSSW

[hoang17]

1st!!!

LWW

I just can't see duckworth making it past the 5th. But the Rocket and Mulder in the 2nd game should be a great game.

[SamCassell]

Waiting for MadMax and his WWW prediction. :)

Seriously, Duckworth is gonna get hit like a pinata today, but the weekend games should be good pitching duels. Maybe Wandy Rodriguez or Astacio will get called up soon.

[Phillyrocket]

LWL

[fya]

L
W
W

Suckworth should not be pitching. Give zeke a chance.

[RocketManJosh]

I don't care if Duckworth has a lucky game and does well (which I seriously doubt) ... He has done ZERO to deserve this opportunity. Its time for Zeke to have his chance.

LWW

[RocketMan Tex]

LWL

[MadMax]

WWW

[Buck Turgidson]

Originally posted by SamCassell
Maybe Wandy Rodriguez or Astacio will get called up soon.
Unfortunately, Zeke has been getting his ass knocked around like your aforementioned pinata, but in AAA. His control within the strike zone, oddly, has been the major problem.

Burba & Wandy have been pitching lights-out. As has Burns out of the pen.

[NJRocket]

I think Duckworth gets smoked back to the minors tonight....then we lose a 2-1 heartbreaker after a typical Clemens game...then Backe keeps on keepin on and wins the last game of the series.

[Joshfast]

WWW

The first game is looking a little scary though.

[Lil Francis]

Duck Season (L), WW

[Random.]

LWL

Our hitting (or lack thereof) is what will be the deciding factor in most of these games. Our pitching matches up fairly evenly with the Cardinals. (even Ducky).

[PhiSlammaJamma]

This is the astros baseball that we all know and love. Astros 1-0. But we have the horses that can outduel anyone so I like. Plus we have Taveras speed to steal that one run. I think we'll be ok until Berky has our backe.

[MadMax]

Originally posted by Lil Francis
Duck Season (L), WW

RABBIT SEASON!!!! FIREEEE!!!!!

http://www.alexross.com/CJ027.jpg

[Fegwu]

WWW

Ducky shuts down the Cards thru 5 innings.

[Kilgore Trout]

LLW

I was looking foward to the game tonight but my tv guide is showing that FSSW isnt showing it here :(

[arkoe]

Originally posted by Kilgore Trout
LLW

I was looking foward to the game tonight but my tv guide is showing that FSSW isnt showing it here :(

I was looking forward to watching the game tonight as I watched the pregame show.

Guess what's on now? Poker! **** you Cox and FSSW!

Talk about tickling my balls...

[Fegwu]

Adam to hit leadoff.

I guess he is healthy now.

[Fegwu]

Adam out via a groundout to 1st baseman Pujols.

One thing that is encouraging about Adam this season is his good composure with 2 strikes.

Bidges doubles to left.

[arkoe]

Bidge has been freaking hot. I don't understand why people think he's done.

[Kilgore Trout]

Originally posted by arkoe
I was looking forward to watching the game tonight as I watched the pregame show.

Guess what's on now? Poker! **** you Cox and FSSW!

Talk about tickling my balls...

Nice, its on for me after all. The guide still shows arena football for some reason.

[Surfguy]

DAMN IT!!! *#*$!

:mad: :mad: :mad:

[Random.]

Stupid error by Duckworth coupled with bad pitching....

Why does he keep getting the chance to start, argh.

[Fegwu]

Duckworth doing a wonderful job so far. He has held the Cards to just 4 runs.

[Joshfast]

http://img249.echo.cx/img249/3450/brandonduckworthdon5xg.jpg

[Fegwu]

Duckworth is really making hard for Marquis at the blate. Marquis works though but a great pitch sequence by Duckworth. Ducky battled his counterpart well but the umpire squeezed him.

[arkoe]

Originally posted by Kilgore Trout
Nice, its on for me after all. The guide still shows arena football for some reason.

I can't believe they showed the pregame show then pulled the game. Ridiculous. I can just hear the folk at Cox yelling "Gotcha!"

[The Real Shady]

The good news is this should finally be the nail in the coffin for Duckworth as a starter.

I hope. :confused:

[rezdawg]

I'd be shocked if we can win this game. In fact, it would make me so happy that it would offset the anger I would feel if the Texans take Barron with their pick tomorrow.

*edit*

I take that back. Barron sucks.

[Fegwu]

Ducky is a very savvy pitcher. He gets Ekstein out somehow.

I hope he gets sent to double A ball after this game.

[Fegwu]

Originally posted by The Real Shady
The good news is this should finally be the nail in the coffin for Duckworth as a starter.

I hope. :confused:

With Garner and Purpura piloting this ship - I wouldn't bet on it.

Ducky though is legit starter...............in the Long Island indepent league. He has good hitting form as well - he just got a base hit.

Ducky could still 15 games for us this season.

[Random.]

Could this be a rally?

[arkoe]

I'm not that upset Duck got the call tonight. I didn't expect us to hit Marquis anyway.

[Fegwu]

Originally posted by Random.
Could this be a rally?

No!

[NIKEstrad]

Originally posted by arkoe
I'm not that upset Duck got the call tonight. I didn't expect us to hit Marquis anyway.

Bases Loaded, no outs, 3-4-5 coming up and we get a sac fly and a GIDP. :o Seems to be a microcosm of our season.

[arkoe]

Now FSSW here is showing arm wrestling.

Yes, arm wrestling.

:rolleyes:

[Random.]

Arm Wrestling might be better than this has been...

[Aceshigh7]

I think Garner and Purpura will get the message after this game. Astacio can't possibly be any worse than Duckworthless.

[KaiSeR SoZe]

WWW

[Random.]

Originally posted by Aceshigh7
I think Garner and Purpura will get the message after this game. Astacio can't possibly be any worse than Duckworthless.

If they haven't figured out that Everett isn't a leadoff hitter yet, then they might not give up on Duckworth.

[Random.]

Everett just produced. I'm stunned!

He's still not a leadoff hitter though.

This game is gettin good.

[NIKEstrad]

Originally posted by Random.
If they haven't figured out that Everett isn't a leadoff hitter yet, then they might not give up on Duckworth.

Apparently they need to put him in the 3 hole! Bases clearing double after falling behind 0-2!

[don grahamleone]

I don't have this game on tv.... did the cards just pull their pitcher after the Everett hit?

[Kilgore Trout]

Originally posted by don grahamleone
I don't have this game on tv.... did the cards just pull their pitcher after the Everett hit?

No the left him in long enough to load up the bases on a walk and hit batter. Tavarez is comming in for releif right now with Lane up.

[Texas Stoke]

Maybe Lane has 'em fooled a bit and Tavares lays one over the middle of the plate here.

[Fegwu]

Crazy game indeed.

I coulcn't stop watching despite the huge early deficit.

Now I am tensed - I am now greedy.

[Fegwu]

Base is loaded ====> Lane grounds out!!!

[Texas Stoke]

damn that ball was right there, he just got on top of it.

[today]

Originally posted by arkoe
Now FSSW here is showing arm wrestling.

Yes, arm wrestling.

:rolleyes:

I'm in the same situation. They did this last game too. Have you found out anything from Cox about this?

[Texas Stoke]

goodbye!

Ensberg with a jack to center.

one run game now.

[The Real Shady]

Good to see the astros offense battling back.




Duckworth you SUCK!!!

[Random.]

Originally posted by today
I'm in the same situation. They did this last game too. Have you found out anything from Cox about this?

There was an article in the chronicle about this a few days ago.

http://www.chron.com/cs/CDA/ssistory.mpl/sports/bb/astros/3143905

Astros fans are caught in middle
40 games won't be shown because of dispute between cable systems, FSN
By DAVID BARRON
Copyright 2005 Houston Chronicle

About 150,000 cable subscribers in Conroe, Huntsville, Bryan-College Station and a dozen other towns will not receive about 40 Astros games this season, beginning tonight, and 60 Rockets games next season from FSN Houston because of a fee dispute.

The Astros' games tonight and Thursday night against the Brewers, Friday and Sunday against the Cardinals and, Monday and Tuesday against the Pirates are the first games that will not be seen by subscribers to Cox, Northland, Cable One and Charter cable companies.

FSN Houston added the games to its previous schedule of 90 Astros games under its new contract with the Rockets and Astros, which could total $600 million over the next 12 years, and assessed cable companies a fee. Industry sources estimate the fee at 45 cents per subscriber per month.

"We're asking our distributors to help us absorb the costs," FSN Houston spokesman Ramon Alvarez said. "Some operators have elected to take the games, and some have not. That's their decision, and we respect it."

Cox systems affected are in Conroe; Huntsville; Livingston; Bryan-College Station; Corrigan; De Ridder, La.; Hearne; Lake Charles, La.; Lufkin; Nacogdoches; Victoria; and Sulphur, La. Also affected are Northland systems in Brenham, New Caney, Navasota and Brookshire; Cable One in Port Lavaca; and Charter in Centerville, Palacios, Manvel, Montgomery County, Wharton and Iowa, La.

Rather than pass on the cost to subscribers, Cox Communications spokeswoman Stacey Rugh said the company declined to pay the fee.

"When we make decisions based on programming, we look at the greatest common interest for our customers," Rugh said. "(The Astros and Rockets) appeal to only a small percentage of the population."

[DaDakota]

not on here in austin either.
DD

[Uprising]

Originally posted by arkoe
Now FSSW here is showing arm wrestling.

Yes, arm wrestling.

:rolleyes:

Tell me about it!

COX SUCKS ASS! :mad: :mad: TWO FREAKIN NIGHTS IN A ROW! WTF?! They choose not to show the game for this crap?!

I am getting Satelite! BITCHES!

[PhiSlammaJamma]

here is good news, the bottom half of the line up is equally as feared as our top half. we still have a chance.

[today]

Originally posted by Random.
There was an article in the chronicle about this a few days ago.

http://www.chron.com/cs/CDA/ssistory.mpl/sports/bb/astros/3143905


Thanks for the info.

[Fegwu]

Ezekiel Astacio pitched today. He gave up 3 ER in 6 innings (7 hits and 6 strikeouts). Wandy Rodriguez goes tomorrow for Roundrock.

Right now I will any of them over Brandon dWorthless at this point. We just gifted the Cards this game thanks to Ducky.

[fya]

the bp looked great and our bats are looking a wee bit better every day. Chavez NEEDS to start over ausmus and suckworth needs to join redding.

[SamCassell]

P.I.N.A.T.A.

[RocketManJosh]

Is there anyone watching the game today? I saw that Everett just stole second on Gamecast, but it says Injury Delay so I am wondering what the heck is going on?

Did Adam pull his hammy again?

[Harrisment]

Originally posted by RocketManJosh
Is there anyone watching the game today? I saw that Everett just stole second on Gamecast, but it says Injury Delay so I am wondering what the heck is going on?

Did Adam pull his hammy again?

Haven't heard anything about Everett, but I just turned the game on. Did Roger dye his hair blonde?

[arkoe]

He's still in the game, so...

[The Real Shady]

Pathetic run support for Clemens again. This is total crap. Why can't the offense do this when Duckworthless is pitching and give Clemens the runs.

[ima_drummer2k]

Clemens is pitching?

OK, so here comes another 1-0 loss...

[Random.]

Originally posted by Harrisment
Did Roger dye his hair blonde?

Sure looks like it.

[rikesh316]

This offense is just horrible, bet you Roger is having second thoughts on retiring.

[The Real Shady]

Originally posted by rikesh316
This offense is just horrible, bet you Roger is having second thoughts on retiring.

All he has to do is go home and count his $18 million. :)

Did they say Clemens has 27 consecutive scorless innings?

[arkoe]

Originally posted by The Real Shady
All he has to do is go home and count his $18 million. :)

Did they say Clemens has 27 consecutive scorless innings?

He hasn't gotten a decision in his last two games. Both he threw shutouts. I think he's given up one run the entire year.

[Surfguy]

Well, Clemens is out so a no-decision for him. The f*cking Astros bats are really a let down this year against lefties.

[Random.]

To be fair, the Cardinals offense sure should be more potent than ours, and they aren't doing any better than the Astros today.

[NJRocket]

this sucks

im all for Lamb being in the lineup...but why against a lefty?

[Random.]

Another 1-0 loss. Argh.

[Surfguy]

The Astros sure do excel at losing close games...I'll give them that.

[rikesh316]

This team sucks, Morgan Ensberg sucks, Adam Everett sucks, Jeff Bagwell really sucks, Brad Assmus really really sucks, and Tim Purpura Really Really Really sucks.

[NIKEstrad]

3rd extra inning 1-0 loss if I'm not mistaken.

I miss Berkman (and Beltran, Kent, and 94-2002 Bagwell).

Our pitching is really fantastic though. With Berkman back, if we can go out and acquire another bat (3rd base seems to be the easiest spot to displace), we could make a strong push in the 2nd half.

[NJRocket]

wonderful...just f-ing wonderful

Clemens gives up 1/3 runs per 9 innings and we are 1-3 in his starts. (we might be 0-4 if it weren't for HIS 2 run single).

Who needs offense?

I know, I know...17 games.

[Phillyrocket]

Wow just wow... what is it now 27 f##king innings of run supportless ball?!?!?!

I mean lets really sit down and think about this....27 innings, three different pitchers, identical outcomes....if I was Clemens I would be absolutely livid....huge contract or not.

I'm so disgusted I can't even think straight.....

[rikesh316]

This product Drayton has created is pittiful. Tim's fat ass needs to step up and do something. Gerry always made those so called small moves that become huge.

[rikesh316]

Damn, Jeff Bagwell is greddy. He wasn't to happy to have a day off. Bagwell, You suck now.

[Groogrux]

Originally posted by rikesh316
This product Drayton has created is pittiful. Tim's fat ass needs to step up and do something. Gerry always made those so called small moves that become huge.

:rolleyes:

About all this post deserves.

[NJRocket]

Originally posted by NJRocket
I think Duckworth gets smoked back to the minors tonight....then we lose a 2-1 heartbreaker after a typical Clemens game...then Backe keeps on keepin on and wins the last game of the series.

hopefully i'll be right so we can keep the brooms at bay...but we will need at least 4 or 5 runs to do it

[Random.]

Today's lineup is odd:

A. Everett ss .206
W. Taveras cf .327
J. Bagwell 1b .207
M. Lamb 3b .182
J. Lane rf .343
C. Burke 2b .212
L. Scott lf .158
B. Ausmus c .195
B. Backe p

I'm not sure I'd put Lamb over Lane at cleanup... At least Taveras should see more ABs today.

[Surfguy]

I can't remember a time when we have started out this poorly. Those batting averages are unbelievable for the most part...rooks or no rooks.

[Random.]

Sigh, nevermind.

They changed the lineup to move Taveras down and use Palmeiro second.

Garner is crazy me thinks :)

[Surfguy]

I think they said the reason for the late lineup change is Luke Scott had to be scratched due to an injury.

Bags just got a RBI hit knocking Everett in.

1-0 Astros

[Random.]

Nice to see Everett and Bagwell producing early this game.

With Biggio taking the day off I was worried we had another 1-0 loss coming.

[Surfguy]

4 - 1 Cards after one inning. I'm not going to bitch, though. I expect us to lose every game against the Cards cause they are just flat out way better than we are.

[Random.]

Backe is doing his impression of Duckworth...

[Random.]

What a stupid umpire. Called a triple play and Willy was clearly safe. That is just horrible.

[Surfguy]

They reversed the call. This is hilarious.

[Surfguy]

``It's ugly, it's really ugly,'' manager Phil Garner said. ``We're going to have to bring in some snake oil and maybe do an exorcism.''

:D

[T Rex]

Always the sign of a team with alot of youngsters...struggling to win on the road, especially in the close games. One thing to keep in mind is we have had some really bad breaks.....I could count at least 5 or 6 either swinging bunts or bloop broken bat hits that have led to runs in both the Mets and Cards series. Nothing to do about that except keep the faith because eventually they should start going our way.